CA2124308C - Pickup truck tailgate with stair - Google Patents

Pickup truck tailgate with stair

Info

Publication number
CA2124308C
CA2124308C CA002124308A CA2124308A CA2124308C CA 2124308 C CA2124308 C CA 2124308C CA 002124308 A CA002124308 A CA 002124308A CA 2124308 A CA2124308 A CA 2124308A CA 2124308 C CA2124308 C CA 2124308C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
tailgate
wall
stair
bed
pickup truck
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
CA002124308A
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2124308A1 (en
Inventor
Leverne M. Quam
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
STEPGATE Inc
Original Assignee
STEPGATE INC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by STEPGATE INC filed Critical STEPGATE INC
Publication of CA2124308A1 publication Critical patent/CA2124308A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2124308C publication Critical patent/CA2124308C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R3/00Arrangements of steps or ladders facilitating access to or on the vehicle, e.g. running-boards
    • B60R3/02Retractable steps or ladders, e.g. movable under shock
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62DMOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D33/00Superstructures for load-carrying vehicles
    • B62D33/02Platforms; Open load compartments
    • B62D33/023Sideboard or tailgate structures
    • B62D33/027Sideboard or tailgate structures movable
    • B62D33/0273Movable tailboards for vehicles comprising non-movable sideboards, e.g. pick-up trucks

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Vehicle Step Arrangements And Article Storage (AREA)
  • Handcart (AREA)

Abstract

A tailgate for enclosing a pickup truck bed includes a sheet metal wall having upper and lower edges and opposite sides, and a stair with at least two steps integrally formed in the wall and extending between the opposite sides. Side walls are mounted on the opposite sides of the sheet metal wall. The lower edge of the tailgate includes a mount for mounting the tailgate to the pickup truck bed for pivotal motion between open and closed positions. A latch on the wall releasably secures to tailgate to the truck bed in the closed position. Flexible cables hold the tailgate in the open position with the steps horizontally orientated.

Description

-~ ~ 212~308 ~

PICKUP Tl~UCK TAILGATE VVlTH STAI:R

RAC~OUND OF THE lNv~ ON
The present invention relates generally to tailgates for vehicle beds. In particular, the present invention is a pickup truck tailgate with an integral stair.
The use of a step mounted on a pickup truck tailgate to assist people entering and exiting the truck bed is generally known. One such tailgate step is disclosed in the Sleger U.S. Patent 2,991,118. This step is in the form of a V-shaped piece of sheet metal bolted to the tailgate of the vehicle. It is somewhat bulky, and will occupy space and possibly interfere with cargo carried within the truck bed.
The Dawes U.S. Patent 4,444,429 discloses a recreational unit for vehicle beds. The tailgate of the unit includes a step.
However, the step extends rearwardly from the vehicle when the tailgate is raised, and is therefore poorly suited for pickup trucks.
The Criley U.S. Patent 4,846,487 discloses a foldable step which is mounted to the tailgate of a pickup truck. This step is relatively complicated in construction.
It is evident that there is a need for an improved tailgate step. The step which should occupy relatively little space within the truck bed. To be commercially viable it must also be rugged and efficient to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF TH~ lNVL~. ~10~
The present invention is a rugged tailgate with a stair that occupies little, if any, more space within the vehicle bed than conventional tailgates. The tailgate is also capable of being efficiently manufactured. In one embodiment the tailgate includes a wall for enclosing the bed of the vehicle. The wall is mounted to the bed of the vehicle for pivotal motion between open and closed positions by a mount. A latch is used to secure the 212~3~8 tailgate to the vehicle in the closed position. A stair including at least two steps extends between opposite sides of the wall.
In a preferred embodiment the stair is an integral unit formed a8 bends in the wall. When the tailgate is in the open position the stair includes an upper step above a bumper and below the bed of the vehicle, and a lower step below an upper edge of the vehicle bumper and behind the vehicle bumper. Flexible cables support the tailgate in the open position with the steps oriented horizontally.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF T~E DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is an illustration of the back of a pickup truck including a tailgate with stair in accordance with the present invention, with the tailgate shown in the open position.
Figure 2 is an illustration of the pickup truck and tailgate shown in Figure 1, with the tailgate in the closed position.
Figure 3 is a detailed side view of one side of the lower edge of the tailgate, illustrating the pivot mount.
Figure 4 is a detailed view of the latch shown in Figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF T~E Pk~RED EMBODIMENTS ;~
A tailgate 10 with stair 12 in accordance with the present invention is illustrated on a pickup truck 1~ in Figures 1 and 2.
Tailgate 10 is pivotally mounted to the back of truck bed 16 which includes floor 18 and side walls 20 and 22. When in the closed position shown in Figure 2, tailgate 10 functions in a conventional manner to enclose the back of truck bed 16. When in the open position shown in Figure 1, stair 12 can be used to conveniently enter and exit truck bed 16.
Tailgate 10 includes a sheet metal wall 26 which forms both the inner surface 28 and outer surface 30 of the tailgate. Stair 12 is formed in wall 26 and is fabricated by bending the sheet metal which forms the wall. Stair 12 is therefore integral with wall 26.
In the embodiment shown, stair 12 includes two steps 32 and 34, each having a riser section R and a step section S extending .. . :-''-': :, , . ' : :

21243Q~
' {-between the opposite sides of tailgate 10. Riser sections R of steps 32 and 34 form right angles with the adjacent step sections S in the illustrated embodiment. Side walls 36 and 38 are welded to the opposite sides of stair 12 and are sized to extend upwardly from step sections S of the stair when tailgate 10 is in the open position shown in Figure 1. Strips of friction enhancing material (not shown) can be applied to step sections S of steps 32 and 34 to help ensure proper footing by persons using stair 12.
When tailgate 10 is open, riser section R of upper step 32 extends downwardly from a position immediately behind truck bed floor 18. Step section S of upper step 32 extends rearwardly from riser section R of the upper step, to a position beyond the rearward end of truck bumper 40. Riser section R of lower step 34 extends downwardly from step section S of upper step 32 to a position below the upper edge of bumper 40. Step section S of lower step 34 extend rearwardly from riser section R of the lower step. This configuration positions upper step 32 above bumper 40 and below truck bed 18, and lower step 34 behind the bumper and between the upper edge of the bumper and the ground.
As shown in Figure 3, a metal tube 42 is welded to the free end of riser section R of upper step 32. Tube 42 thereby forms the lower edge of tailgate 10. The free end of riser section R of upper step 32 is bent to fit around metal tube 42 at the location of the weld. Tailgate 10 is configured to be mounted to truck bed 14 in a conventional manner so it can be sold as an aftermarket unit for replacement of the original vehicle tailgate.
Accordingly, plastic bushings 43 are secured within the opposite ends of tube 42 (only one is shown in Figure 3), and include bores 44 sized to receive pivot pins (not shown) extending from the truck bed side walls 20 and 22 adjacent floor 18. A slot 46 extends through the sides of bushing 43 and tube 42 into communication with the bore 44 on one side of tailgate 10, to facilitate the mounting of the tailgate on pickup truck 14 in a conventional manner.
A metal tube 48 is welded to the free end of step section S
of lower step 34, and forms the upper edge of tailgate 10. The ~- 212~308 ~ :

free end of step section S of the lower step 34 is bent to fit around a portion of tube 48 at the location of the weld. Inserts 50 are secured within the opposite ends of tube 48. Tailgate 10 is configured in such a manner that tube 48 is at the same height as the upper edges of truck bed walls 20 and 22 when tailgate 10 is closed.
As shown in Figures 1 and 4, latch pins 52 are mounted within slide housings 54 on each side wall 36 and 38 of tailgate 10. The latch pins 52 extend through apertures in side walls 36 and 38, and are biased outwardly from the side walls by springs (not visible) within housings 54. Tailgate 10 is latched in its closed position (Figure 2) by pins 52 which extend into apertures or recesses conventionally found in truck bed side walls 20 and 22. Chains 56 are simultaneously pulled to remove pins 52 from the apertures against the bias force of the springs when it is desired to open tailgate 10. Tapered edges on the ends of pins 52 facing truck bed 18 engage truck bed side walls 20 and 22 and urge the pins inwardly when tailgate 10 is forced into its closed position. Chains 56 therefore need not be pulled while closing tailgate 10. Flexible cables 58 extending between truck bed sidewalls 20 and 22 and lugs 60 on the sidewalls 36 and 38 of tailgate 10 support the tailgate in its open position. Cables 58 are sized so step sections S of stair 12 are at a level orientation when tailgate 10 is open.
Tailgates with stairs in accordance with the present invention have considerable advantages over those of the prior art. The stair occupies little, if any, more space than conventional tailgates. It therefore does not reduce the amount of cargo space available in the truck bed. Since it has no moving or foldable components, the stair will be relatively maintenance free. The stair also adds strength to the wall of the tailgate. Furthermore, the tailgate can be efficiently fabricated.
Although the present invention had been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
: ~ ' . , ' . ', ' ' , , .

Claims (20)

1. A tailgate for enclosing the bed of a vehicle, including:
a wall having upper and lower edges and opposite sides;
a mount on the lower edge of the wall for mounting the tailgate to the bed of the vehicle for pivotal motion between open and closed positions;
a latch for latching the tailgate to the bed of the vehicle when the tailgate is in the closed position; and a stair including at least two steps extending between the opposite sides of the wall.
2. The tailgate of claim 1 wherein the stair is formed as bends in the wall.
3. The tailgate of claim 2 wherein the wall in which the stair is formed includes a first surface which functions as the inside of the tailgate, and a second surface which functions as the outside of the tailgate.
4. The tailgate of claim 1 wherein:
the tailgate further includes a tube extending across the lower edge of the wall; and the mount includes pivot bushings in the ends of the tube.
5. The tailgate of claim 1 and further including a tube extending across the upper edge of the wall.
6. The tailgate in claim 1 wherein the stair includes an upper step above a bumper and below the bed of the vehicle when the tailgate is in the open position.
7. The tailgate of claim 6 wherein the stair includes a lower step below an upper edge of the vehicle bumper and behind the vehicle bumper when the tailgate is in the open position.
8. The tailgate of claim 1 wherein the stair includes two steps.
9. The tailgate of claim 1 and further including a latch for releasably latching the tailgate to the vehicle bed in the closed position.
10. The tailgate of claim 1 and further including a support for supporting the tailgate in the open position with the steps oriented horizontally.
11. The tailgate of claim 1 and further including friction enhancing material on the stair.
12. The tailgate of claim 1 and further including side walls on the opposite sides of the wall.
13. A pickup truck including the tailgate of claim 1.
14. A tailgate for enclosing a pickup truck bed, including:
a sheet metal wall having upper and lower edges and opposite sides;
a stair including at least two steps integrally formed in the wall and extending between the opposite sides;
a mount on the lower edge of the wall for mounting the tailgate to the pickup truck bed for pivotal motion between open and closed positions;
a latch on the wall for releasably latching the tailgate to the pickup truck bed in the closed position; and a support for holding the tailgate in the open position with the steps horizontally oriented.
15. The tailgate of claim 14 wherein the stair includes only upper and lower steps, the upper step positioned above a bumper of the pickup and below the bed when the tailgate is in the open position, and the lower step positioned below an upper edge of the bumper and behind the bumper when the tailgate is in the open position.
16. The tailgate of claim 14 wherein:
the tailgate further includes a tube mounted to the lower edge of the sheet metal wall; and the mount include a mechanism for pivotally mounting ends of the tube to the pickup truck.
17. The tailgate of claim 14 wherein the latch includes spring-biased pins for engaging the pickup truck bed.
18. The tailgate of claim 14 and further including friction enhancing material on the stair.
19. The tailgate of claim 14 and further including side walls on the sheet metal wall.
20. A pickup truck including the tailgate of claim 14.
CA002124308A 1993-06-01 1994-05-25 Pickup truck tailgate with stair Expired - Fee Related CA2124308C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/069,538 US5312150A (en) 1993-06-01 1993-06-01 Pickup truck tailgate with stair
US069,538 1993-06-01

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2124308A1 CA2124308A1 (en) 1994-12-02
CA2124308C true CA2124308C (en) 1998-02-03

Family

ID=22089663

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002124308A Expired - Fee Related CA2124308C (en) 1993-06-01 1994-05-25 Pickup truck tailgate with stair

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US5312150A (en)
CA (1) CA2124308C (en)

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US5975610A (en) * 1998-08-05 1999-11-02 Tracy; Mark Alan Seating apparatus for a tailgate
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US6267429B1 (en) 2000-10-27 2001-07-31 Ford Global Technologies, Inc. Multi-position vehicle tailgate assembly
USD445076S1 (en) 2000-12-04 2001-07-17 The Eastern Company Folding step
US6471002B1 (en) 2000-12-04 2002-10-29 The Eastern Company Folding foot step with anti-skid surface
USD449264S1 (en) 2000-12-04 2001-10-16 The Eastern Company Step portion of a folding step assembly
US6857680B2 (en) * 2002-07-24 2005-02-22 Daimlerchrysler Corporation Integrated step for a vehicle cargo area
US6966597B2 (en) * 2002-12-23 2005-11-22 Tegtmeier Paul H Tailgate assembly with integral steps
US6739639B1 (en) * 2003-03-05 2004-05-25 William M. Chumley Apparatus and method for accessing and extending a truck bed
US7055838B2 (en) * 2003-05-19 2006-06-06 Lambie Ken C Folding tailgate mounted step assembly
US7073837B2 (en) * 2004-12-09 2006-07-11 Madlinger David L Multi-purpose tailgate for a vehicle
US7240947B2 (en) * 2005-05-20 2007-07-10 John Kuznarik Compact truck tailgate and general purpose utility ladder
US7516997B2 (en) * 2005-05-20 2009-04-14 John Kuznarik Compact truck tailgate and general purpose utility ladder
US7658266B1 (en) 2005-07-25 2010-02-09 Norfolk Southern Corporation Truck bed staircase device
US7232173B2 (en) * 2005-10-04 2007-06-19 Magna International Inc. Step tailgate and mounting hardware
US7401833B2 (en) * 2006-04-03 2008-07-22 Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc. Cargo bed step
US8511734B2 (en) * 2006-06-30 2013-08-20 Chrysler Group Llc Deployable tailgate ramp
US7735894B2 (en) * 2007-05-07 2010-06-15 Honda Motor Company, Ltd. Tailgate assemblies and vehicles including same
US7883306B2 (en) * 2008-09-18 2011-02-08 Cessna Aircraft Company Attachment bolt and tensioned support system using same
AU333510S (en) * 2010-04-15 2010-11-05 Caterpillar Inc Step
US20140110193A1 (en) * 2012-10-24 2014-04-24 Deere & Company Folding step assembly
DE102013203860A1 (en) * 2013-03-07 2014-09-25 Hamm Ag compactor
US9352639B2 (en) 2013-10-22 2016-05-31 Halcore Group, Inc. Service vehicle door system
US9776482B2 (en) 2014-11-13 2017-10-03 Allied Recreation Group, Inc. Emergency exit door for a vehicle
US9789914B1 (en) 2017-01-06 2017-10-17 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Vehicle tailgate system
US9956995B1 (en) * 2017-01-06 2018-05-01 Fca Us Llc Drop tailgate with integrated step
CN106956723B (en) * 2017-04-01 2022-11-22 北汽福田汽车股份有限公司 Truck and cargo box thereof
USD937729S1 (en) * 2019-10-03 2021-12-07 Cole Minnis Hinged grated truck step
CA3100053A1 (en) 2019-11-20 2021-05-20 Nb4 Brand L.L.C. Vehicle mounted accessory
US11358529B2 (en) * 2019-12-05 2022-06-14 Paul Reimer Apparatuses and methods for an automatic stepgate
US10710508B1 (en) 2019-12-17 2020-07-14 Miles A. Reitnouer Extendable/retractable step assembly for a rear assembly of a flatbed trailer
US11794656B2 (en) 2020-07-09 2023-10-24 Walter Peter DeMonte Portable stair structure for vehicle, stair structure kit, and methods of using same
US12269426B2 (en) 2020-07-09 2025-04-08 Walter Peter DeMonte Transportable personal elevation device for vehicle, climbing assist kit, and methods of using same
US11661118B2 (en) * 2020-12-31 2023-05-30 Bryce D. Goodenough Tailgate for vehicle
US12187235B2 (en) 2021-10-28 2025-01-07 The Kingstar Company Vehicle mounted accessory

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US5312150A (en) 1994-05-17
CA2124308A1 (en) 1994-12-02

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